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16th Annual AT&T St. Louis International Film Festival

Posted At : November 8, 2007 2:07 PM | Posted By : Admin
Related Categories: Films & Movies

SLIFF FlyerTen Day Celebration of Films Underway!

Who doesn't like going to the movies? The popcorn, the perfect panoromic picture, the rush of an enthusiastic crowd. Then of course there is the movie itself, unfurling before you on a silver screen with sights and sounds of wonder and intrigue.

If this is your scene, or even if you think it might be then check out the 16th Annual AT&T St. Louis  International Film Festival. Whether your tastes bend towards the mainstream or extend to a particular niche like animation, documentories or contemporary Thai film, the folks at Cinema St. Louis have programmed films for you.

This years festival is a sprawling feast of cinematic intoxication with 271 films, industry workshops, meet and greets, discussions and other programming that will reel you in.to the host venues, Tivoli Theater, Plaza Frontenac Theater, Pulitzer Foundation, Webster University, St. Louis Art Museum,  COCA (Center of Contemporary Arts) and Washington University (Steinberg Hall Auditorium).

Several special events are planned this year including an opening night screening of "The Honeydripper" with SLIFF Lifetime Achievement recipients John Sayles and Maggie Renzi, a  program on the work of Walt Disney by author and film critic Neal Gabler complete with a special program of seldom seen Disney shorts. "Water Films with Peter Greenaway," held in conjunction with the Pulitzer Foundation's "Water" exhibit, features SLIFF Lifetime Achievement recipient Greenaway screening and discussing a mix of his water related films including "Drowning by Numbers." 

There will also be screenings of two silent restored silent film clasics. On November 10th Teinosuke Kinugasa's 1928 expressionistically gorgeous "Crossroads" screens at the St. Louis Art Museum at 7p.m.with musical accompaniment by New Music Circle. At 7 p.m. on November 16th The Art St. Louis Art Museum hosts a  restored presentation of John Ford's epic silent western masterpeice , "The Iron Horse" with musical accompaniment by organist Stan Kann.  

Because the art of cinema makes our world smaller and helps us understand the uniqueness of other cultures, 40 countries are represented with movies in this years festival. This diversity, combined with the large amount of films being screened makes it impossible for someone to not find something to be interested in.

Everything you possibly need to know about the 16th Annual AT&T St. Louis  International Film Festival is available through the Cinema St. Louis website. www.cinemastlouis.org

Rob Levy

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KOMEDIC KINETIC KAOS WITH KOMPLETLY KEATON

Posted At : August 24, 2007 10:53 AM | Posted By : Admin
Related Categories: Films & Movies

KOMPLETLY KEATON
The Webster Film Series, September 28-October 14, 2007
http://www.webster.edu/filmseries

In this age of googleplex theaters, special effects and digital animation the brilliant art of the silent film era is oftentimes overlooked. With the exception of film aficionados a whole generation has grown up blissfully unaware of the creative genius that was birthed in the silent film era.

For the most part, the three great comedians of the silent era, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton live on only as faint residuals of this bygone age, remembered more as caricatures than for their actual work itself.

Thank goodness the Webster Film Series is doing their part to change all of this as they call attention to this wonderful era of film with Kompletly Keaton, a series of 22 full length and short films by Buster Keaton, one of the most prolific, innovative and relevant figures in the cinematic arts. Known mainly for his physical comedy and skillful direction Keaton is one of the master s of American cinema.

What a glorious feast this is! Each film screened over the three week run of the program is presented with a fully restored 35mm print escorted by a live musical accompaniment.

Since seeing every film in the series is a daunting task here are 5 films that you simply must see;

The General (1927)-Widely regarded as one the best films ever made. This is the essental Keaton. He stars as a down on his luck engineer fraught with humiliation after being rejected for entry the Confederate Army. To make things worse his girl has lost faith in him and the Union has daringly made tracks with his train. Keaton must save the day and overcome his cowardice by tracking down his beloved train and winning back his lady. The highlight of The General is the exhilarating locomotive chase that steams mightily throughout the film. October 14, 8:00pm

Our Hospitality (1923)-Keaton produced, directed wrote and starred in this slapstick farce about a New York urbanite that bumbles and fumbles his way into the bad side of a good old fashioned Southern family feud. Our Hospitality is a fully loaded treat with enough terrific rescues and daring chase scenes to measure up with the drek coming from major studios today. This is the perfect example of Keaton is on top of his game with comedic timing and pacing. September 29, 8:00pm

Sherlock JR.-(1924) A projectionist with an over active imagination is accused of stealing a watch. When he falls asleep on the job he dreams that he is Sherlock Holmes, solving the very crime he has been accused of.  Despite running just under one hour this is a film laden with the imagination and charm that made Keaton an endearing superstar of his age. September 30, 8:00pm

The Navigator-(1924) A true masterpiece of the silent era. Wackness ensues when the lovelorn doofus named Rollo becomes stranded on an island with his true love, who hasn't really taken a shine to him. The Navigator is a must see features some of Keaton's best stunt work. October 5, 8:00pm

Go West (1925)-A wonderful comedy with a few pinches of melancholy. Go West sees Keaton tackling new ground, the Western. Never one to stand on tradition, Keaton brings slapstick and physical comedy to the Wild West. Hilarity ensues when he leads a herd of cattle through Los Angeles. This emotional but wiled wile ride is an overlooked gem in the Keaton canon. October 6, 8:00pm

Screened as a series of 11 programs Kompletely Keaton serves as both an introduction to those curious about his comedic genius and cinematic debonair and also a reminder to movi  buffs of how special and hilarious Buster Keaton really was.

All films screened in Moore Auditorium located in Webster Hall on the campus of Webster University, 470 East Lockwood Avenue.

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